Padlock.



P m E. MK

L 5 JP w APPLIUATION FILED MAY 1, 1901.

I0 MODEL.

FIG13. F1614.

WITNESSES;

liv VEN TOR NlTE STATES ATENT FFICE.

WALTER K. PALMER, OF LAWRENCE, KANSAS.

PADLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 718,789, dated January 20, 1903.

Application filed May 4,1901. Serial No. 58,790. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER K. PALMER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Lawrence, in the county of Douglas and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Padlocks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of locks known as padlocks, in which a U-shaped or curved shackle or looking part, pivoted at one end, is engaged and held in a locked position by a number of suitably-shaped levers within the look, so arranged and disposed that when the shackle or looking part is closed these levers engage it and hold it until moved by the proper keyto the position of unlocking.

The objects of my improvement are to provide a simple lock having few and simple parts and so made that all the functions of a perfect self-locking padlock are performed by the use of a mechanism having no springs whatever and also to provide a mechanism so arranged that by a simple interchanging and combining of a number of levers, of which sets composed of a suitable number of different sizes may be manufactured in quantities, a very large number of locks can be produced, each one of which may have a key different from all the others, or, if desired, another look may at any time be produced at once exactly like any one previously made, all of which is to be accomplished without the making of any special piece or pieces and simply by permutations of a certain number of standard' parts.

My invention also consists of certain other novel features of construction and combinations of parts, which will be more fully described hereinafter, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through my improved lock. Fig. 2 is an end elevation. Fig. 3 is a detail of the key-support and also showing it in end elevation. Fig. 4is a view of the key, and Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 are views of the difierent levers or tumblers composing a set.

G is the case of the lock, affording a supporting-frame for the mechanism. This case is preferably made in one piece, drawn out of sheet-brass in the manner of brass cartridge-shells and a part being turned down after the mechanism of the lock has been inserted.

A is the curved shackle or locking member, which is pivoted at Z, so that when unlocked it may rotate about the pin Z to engage a staple. The features of this shackle are as follows:

c is a circle are on the pivoted end of the shackle, having the pin 1 for its center and a suitable radius, as shown.

a is a circle are drawn on e as a center and having a suitable radius, said are connecting with are c at its lower end. A recess M is formed in the opposite or looking end of the shackle, one side of which is formed by the circle are k of the same size as arcs it, formed on each of the locking-levers, said are It so positioned on the shackle that the are n of the locking-lever just fits are 76 when the lever is in its lowest position.

r is a continuation of arcf, drawn on e as a center, with a suitable radius. This are 1' forms the other side of the recess M and connects with the lower end of are k.

B is a lever pivoted to rotate about the pin e, there being ten sizes of this lever, all having the same features, but differing in certain dimensions, to be hereinafter explained, of which levers any six sizes may be employed in a look, there being six levers in each lock and rotating on and pivoted to the same pin 6, thus giving a possibility of a number of combinations, and hence of a number of dif ferent locks, expressed by ten to the sixth power, which is one million. More or a less number of these sizes may be used, giving a greater or less number of combinations; but I prefer to use a series of ten sizes, for then a simple system of notation may be employed whereby any lock may be designated by a common numberas, for example, the number stamped upon the key and upon the shackle of the lock. Thus the number 659,327 signifies that levers bearing numbers (6,77 (5,77 (9,77 4 3,77 (2,77 (777 a e used in making up the combination employed in this look, these six leversbeing chosen from the ten standard sizes manufactured in quantities. The features of these locking levers or tumblers are as follows: e is the pivot-pin by which they are supported and around which they rotate. These locking levers or tumblers have an outline as follows:

f is a circle are drawn about 6 as a center and of suitable radius so that when the lever falls to its lowest position this are will engage the are r of the shackle A, as at 71, just fitting are r.

n is a circle are drawn with the pivot Z as a center when the lever is in the exact position for unlocking, and 0 designates a circle are which is a continuation of are c of the pivot end of the shackle and forming this continnation when the lever is in the exact position for unlocking, as shown in Fig. 1.

s is a continuation of the are u of shackle A when the parts are in unlocking position. This arcs varies in length with the different styles and sizes of levers employed.

1) is an are which just equals are c of shackle A, against which it fits when the locking-le- Ver is in its highest position.

v and a: are any suitable smooth curves, which may vary in the different styles and sizes of levers employed.

'i is a circle are drawn with e as its center and is the same in all sizes and styles of levers, its radius being just enough to connect the are 2' smoothly to are n.

m is a rectangular notch designed to engage the key and provide a stop for it when the key is in its extreme limit of movement to the right. sizes of levers.

z designates any line or smooth curve, varying in the different styles and sizes of levers, upon which the key may act when raising the lever to its unlocking position and upon which the key slides to its position in the notch m, the curve ,2 being so shaped on each size of lever that the key may be inserted in a vertical position when the levers are down at their lowest position.

The circle are 01 just fits the contour of the cylindrical key support D, upon which it rests when the key is removed and the lever allowed to fall to its lowest position.

The cylindrically-shaped key support or seat D rotates in suitable hearings in the lock-case C and is provided with a rectangular longitudinal groove, substantially as shown, in which groove the fiat key of the lock is received and fits, the purpose of said key-support being to provide a suitable means for rotating the key about an exact center, this being necessary to a successful working of the mechanism.

E designates the flat key of the lock, there being a projection or notch for engaging and raising each of the six locking levers or tumblers to unlocking position, each of the ten levers of the series requiring a different height of notch or projection.

The operation of my device is as follows: The key being removed, the six levers fall by their own weight to a position in which the arc d rests upon D. In this position the points 71. of each of the six levers are in engagement This notch is the same in all" with the are r of the recess M in shackle A to different degrees or amounts, thus locking the shackle A and preventing the look from opening. Even should the lock be inverted the six levers would fall until arcp of each rested upon are c of the shackle A, the are 8 of each engaging the locking-arc U, of the shackle A, in which position also the shackle is sufficiently locked in an efiectual manner. In so doing, however, the levers each have to pass the position of unlocking; but when one is in unlocking position another will have passed it, and others will still have their arcs f in engagement with are r at point h in the different styles and shapes of leversused, so that at no instant can the shackle be unlocked during this inversion. Similarly if the lock be again inverted the locking -levers drop upon the key-support D, and the point h of some lever will engage the are 1* before are 5 of another has become disengaged from arc to, so there is no possibility of unlocking shackle A without the key. Then the key is inserted in the groove formed for its reception in the key-support D and turned to the right until it stops, each lever is thereby raised to just the proper height for unlocking, and the shackle may be withdrawn. If, new, the key be removed, the levers drop back upon the key-seat support D. If the shackle is closed now, the curved end q pushes the levers back to unlocking position as it descends and each lever falls into its locking position, thus automatically locking shackle A without the use of a spring-actuated mechanism.

It is evident that slight changes might be made in the form and arrangement of the several parts described other than those herein mentioned without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact construction herein set forth; but

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A locking mechanism comprising a casing, a shackle, one end of which is pivotally secured to the casing, the ends of the shackle each having locking-arcs formed thereon, a set of gravity locking-levers pivoted within the casing, the ends of the levers each having locking-arcs formed thereon, the lockingarcs at one end of the shackle adapted to be engaged by the locking-arcs at the ends of the levers contiguous thereto when the looking mechanism is in one position and the locking-arcs at the opposite end of the shackle adapted to be engaged by the locking-arcs of the opposite ends of the lovers contiguous thereto when the locking mechanism is in an inverted or partially-inverted position to retain the shackle in locked position, a rotatable key-seat with which the gravity locking-levers contact and a key receivable in the seat, the key adapted to directly engage and contact with the gravity locking-levers ICC to move them to unlocking position and re-' lease the shackle.

2. The combination in a padlock, of a shackle provided with suitably-shaped locking-arcs, a case to which said shackle is pivotally secured, a set of interchangeable levers pivoted in the case, and designed to be arranged to form a large number of permutations, the levers adapted to engage the locking-arcs on the shackle whereby to-retain it in locked position, a cylindrical keyseat grooved for the reception of a key, the keysupport affording a means whereby the key is rotated about an exact center, the key being provided with suitably-arranged projections and notches whereby to contact with and raise each lever on its pivot to unlocking position, whereupon the shackle may be swung on its pivot.

3. The combination, in apadlock, of a case, a key, a cylindrical-shaped key-barrel provided with a longitudinal groove, the barrel designed to receive and carry the key and cause it to rotate about an exact center, a shackle pivotally secured at one end to the case, alocking-arc on the pivoted interior end of the shackle, a locking-notch in the free end thereof, and a set of gravitating levers pivoted within the case for engaging the ends of the shackle, the levers operating by gravity to engage the shackle at either end thereof whereby to hold it in locked position in any position assumed by the padlock, the key operating directly against the lovers to swing them on their pivots and release the shackle.

4. A padlock comprising a case made in a single piece, a set of levers pivoted in the case, a shackle pivoted at or near one end of the case, and provided with a suitably-formed recess at its free end and locking-arcs at its pivoted end, the levers adapted to be received within the recess to lock the shackle when the lock is in one position, the opposite ends of the levers adapted to engage the pivoted end of the shackle when the lock is inverted, a key-seat against which levers are normally adapted to lie and a key for operating directly against the lovers to release them from the engagement with the shackle.

5. A padlock comprising an integral case, a shackle pivoted at one end in the case, the shackle provided with locking-arcs at its pivoted end, the opposite end of the shackle having a recess formed therein, a set of levers pivoted in the case, the lovers so formed that their ends are receivable in the recess in the shackle, when the padlock is in one position their opposite ends being constructed to lie against the pivoted end of the shackle to retain it in locked adjustment when the padlock is inverted, a key-barrel and a key adapted to contact directly with the levers to remove them from the recess when it is desired to unlock the padlock, and a stop on each of the levers to prevent the turning of the key too far.

6. A springless, gravity locking mechanism comprising a casing, a shackle pivotally secured thereto, locking-arcs formed on each end of the shackle, a set of gravity-operated locking-levers pivoted within the casing, the lovers adapted to normally rest in locked position, a stationary support for the rear ends of the levers, the fore ends of the levers engaging the free end of the shackle when the lock is in one position, the rear ends of the levers engaging the pivoted end of the shackle when the lock is in an inverted position, both ends of the shackle being engaged by separate members of the set of gravity-levers during its movement to or from an inverted position, and means for causing the release of the shackle when the lock isin its normal position.

7. A padlock comprising a casing, a shackle pivoted at one end to the casing, locking-arcs formed on the pivoted end of the shackle, a

set of gravity locking-levers pivoted in the casing, the rear ends of the levers having locking-arcs formed thereon, the fore ends of the levers adapted to engage the free end of the shackle and the rear ends adapted to engage one of the locking-arcs on the pivoted end of the shackle when the shackle is in locked position and the padlock inverted, thereby serving to retain the shackle locked in any position which the padlock may assu me.

8. A padlock comprising a casing, a shackle pivoted at one end in the casing, a set of gravity locking-levers pivoted in the casing, the ends of the levers adapted to engage the ends of the shackle to retain it in locked position, a key adapted to be received therein, the key directly engaging the gravity pivoted locking-levers to cause them to release the shackle,and an abutment on the levers against which the key is adapted to strikewhereby to limit its movement in one direction.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WALTER K. PALMER.

Witnesses:

LOUIE J. OSBORNE, GEO. J. H001). 

